THE YARD INSTRUCTORS
Caitlyn Hughes was a four-year starting pitcher for the University of Wisconsin La Crosse Eagles (2016-2019). In 2019, Hughes led the Eagles to the best finish in UW-L history by reaching the NCAA Super Regional. She garnered her third career WIAC All-Conference first-team honors after earning the award in 2016 and 2017. She was selected as the 2016 WIAC Pitcher of the Year. She led the Eagles in wins (16), starts (24), complete games (7), strikeouts (95) and opponents' batting average (.252) while tying for the team lead in appearances (32). The 16 victories in 2019 ranks second for a single season in UWL history. Hughes ranks second in school history in appearances (98), third in wins (43) and third in innings (407.2) and fourth in strikeouts (296). Caitlyn was named to the Pella, Iowa All-Regional Tournament team and the 2019 NFCA All-Region team. Caitlyn majored in Sports Management with minors in Business Administration and Organizational and Professional Communication. She attended Stewartville High School.
Maddie Damon appeared in the circle for the Purdue University Boilermakers for four years (2016-2019). During her 2018 season, she recorded 48 strikeouts in 56 innings pitched. Damon helped the Boilermakers to three Big Ten Softball Tournament appearances in 2016, 2018 and 2019. During her 2017 season she made 35 appearances with 21 starts, striking out 59 batters while blanking her opponents on seven occasions. Maddie majored in Public Health with a minor in Human Development and Family Science. Damon graduated from Kasson-Mantorville High School where she won back-to-back state titles in 2014 and 2015 and garnered the 2015 Miss Softball Award. Damon rewrote Minnesota’s record books while setting records for strikeouts (1,642), perfect games (9) and victories (117). She also recorded 20 shut-outs, six no-hitters and 10 one-hitters.
Vanessa Anderson quickly became known as “The Punisher” during her four years with the North Dakota State University Bisons (2016-2019). She was a 2019 Female Athlete of the Year Nominee along with 2019 Summit League 1st Team All-Conference honors. Vanessa received Summit League 2nd Team All-Conference honors in 2018 and 2019. She helped her team claim Summit League Tournament Champions four years in a row. She was named to the Summit League Conference Tournament team in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Anderson was an NFCA scholar athlete during all of her four years. She ranks 4th in career home runs for NDSU (33). She majored in Exercise Science. Anderson attended Byron High School and holds the Minnesota state home run record (48).
Cori Kennedy was a four year starting catcher for the Minnesota State University of Mankato Mavericks (2016-2019). In 2017, Kennedy helped the Mavericks claim their first ever NCAA Division II National Championship, starting behind the dish in all 71 games. She helped the Mavericks win the NSIC Conference Tournament Championship in 2017, along with NSIC Regular Season Championships in 2016 and 2017. She garnered the NSIC Golden Glove Award in 2017. She received NSIC Second Team All-Conference honors in 2019. Kennedy majored in Mass Media with a minor in Coaching. She now is color analyst and broadcaster for National Pro Fastpitch. She attended Kasson-Mantorville High School where she won back-to-back state titles in 2014 and 2015.
Joe Ohm has been teaching young ballplayers in Southern Minnesota for over 18 years. Joe is a former professional baseball player being drafted in 1998 by the Chicago Cubs as a pitcher. Joe was a two-sport standout in college playing both basketball and baseball at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse from 1995-1998.
Joe was awarded 2007 WIAC Pitcher of the Year, 1997 Successful Farming Magazine Baseball All-American, Academic All-Conference Team (WIAC) 1997.
He also played in the prestigious Cape Cod Collegiate Summer Baseball League in 1997.
After his playing days, Joe moved into teaching and coaching and has been a staple coaching both basketball and baseball at all levels. His tenure includes:
- Head Boys Basketball Coach at Pine Island High School 2003-2006.
- Head Boys Basketball Coach at Rochester Century High School 2006 - 2016.
- Assistant Baseball at Pine Island High School 2002 - 2005.
- Head Boys Basketball Coach for Rochester Youth Basketball 2012-2019.
Head Boys Basketball Coach for Rochester Youth Baseball 2012-2019.
Joe is owner of Ohm Sports Academy where he has 18 years of experience in running camps, clinics, and both individual and small group workouts.
Currently, Joe is a teacher in the Rochester Public Schools and is the Varsity Assistant
Joe and his wife Cortnay have two children Ryan (14) and Madison (11).